Question about this photo.?

Question:http://fc08.deviantart.com/fs25/i/2008/1...

The blurred leaf in the bottom center... do you think it wasn't a good idea to include it in the image? A few people say it's distracting or looks like an error, but I like it because it adds depth. Opinions?

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: http://fc08.deviantart.com/fs25/i/2008/1...

The blurred leaf in the bottom center... do you think it wasn't a good idea to include it in the image? A few people say it's distracting or looks like an error, but I like it because it adds depth. Opinions?

OPK,
First of all, the image does stimulate the eye so don't worry about negative comments that don't give informationa to aid you and guide you in a direction that could be more productive. It's got nice zing in the mid-tones due to the open shadows which makes the greens really pop nicely. It could be cropped a bit tighter from the bottom but you don't have much room to play with. I might try free form grabbing some of that shadow area up top using the free form selection tool, then make a new layer via copy. You can then experiment a bit by dropping it down over the bottom area, trying different blend modes and opacity levels. The overall problem is that you have some nice depth of field happening here but that big blur of an object in the bottom of the frame grabs your eye and then sucks it right down and right out of the frame. . Work with it a bit. This is how we learn, you can play with the editing now but next time you will be armed with the knowledge of this lesson learned and maybe shoot aq bit tighter or move the unwanted materials.

As photographers we learn every day from those with more experience and those with less.
Don't let the pompous persons of the group who give short, indirect answers with no clue how to give some positive direction drag you down. It's pretty much free to shoot now, since we don't have to pay for rolls of film or our 4x5 or 8x10 sheet films,although I still drag out the
sinar from time to time to shoot some large Polaroids for transfers.
So shoot, shoot, shoot. Don't machine gun shoot hoping that yhou will have a good image in there somewhere like I see so many people chimping at the end zone praying they got the shot. Shoot my friend, so that your eye develops, so that in time you will see the light, and be enlightened. You will make it.

c
P.S. Semper, good for you for reading and arming yourself with knowledge but a bit more about selective focus. The in focus point of your image does not necessarily have to be in the rear of the image. Learn to use your f-stops, practice at it. On the old film cameras we had a depth of field button that basically grayed out the areas that would be effected by our focus. by manipulating your f-stops you can have a depth of field such that the foreground and background are not sharp but one little part of the image can be in focus in mid range. Work on that some and you will start to get images that pop and seem to float off the page at you like a single leaf on a sycamore tree in mid range of the focal range but the foregroun and background have fallen out of focus. It can be done digitallu and is ALOT but a good shooter can make the image in the camera if so desired and work the image digitally later on other aspects. Remember, what the majority of what can be done in photoshop is just an emulation of what a shooter can do in camera. There was a time when we had to, we had not choice. I am not preaching to you just trying to get in everyone's head this point.; shoot, shoot, shoot, create images, learn to create in your mind and let the camera become an extension of your eye so you see what through that beautiful ground glass what you will see when your images pop up. I love my Photoshop but I do love the fact that I learned the rules before I learned to break them. So many of you have talent. Believe in it, use it, create with it then use your computer for enhancement.

namaste,
c

I like it because it looks like you were focusing on something, ya know?
Live. Laugh. Love. -Cutie

i agree with u, it does add depth. i like the picture. but really u shouldnt care what other people say, if u like it then that is all that matters.

I like it, it's not your point of focus, so i don't think it needs to be clear.

no it looks good it does give depth personally my opinion i think it looks good

I don't think the blurred leaf is the issue.

The picture isn't that interesting other than as an exercise in depth of field.

It needs something to stimulate the eye.

V

well if u like thats all that metters
but to tell u the truth i dont im a photogarphy major some people say they like me self i think it sucks so really its whatever u like

The blurred leaf looks just like a "Flying Bird" if you know what I mean. It is terribly distracting, centered, and adds nothing to the image.

I must give you kudos for getting you white balance very close to "right" in such difficult light.

It is a nice picture but your people are right; it looks like an error and is horribly distracting.

I will start by stating that the picture is very beautiful and provokes imagination. Then i will go on to talk about your picture. The background and the log blend so well and create a perfect environmental feel.As for the leaf in the centre it has a more dominating effect on the entire picture, it dosent exactly blend with anything in its nearby surrounding,as a result it appeares to be out of place.

Isn't more of an issue of Selective Focus rather than DOF.
(I am not sure 100 percent I am still learning terms myself)

Selective Focus means the foreground is blurred where the background is clear.

if that is the case then this is a perfect example of selective focus.

The main reason I would have removed it is because the photo has a very specific colour scheme that this leaf doesn't fit. You already have out of focus leaves that do fit, so you don't need this to add depth.

Hey but that's just my opinion!

Cheers, teef_au

I like the backlit leaves and the fact that you took the picture at their level.

I don't like the blurred blob in the foreground.

Nice photo!